Currently, Oklahoma physician assistants (PAs) practice under the supervision of a physician. This supervising physician delegates the health care tasks that the PA may perform. The relationship is formalized using written practice agreement that lays out which treatments and services are authorized. Under SB 809, PAs would initially practice for a period under supervision before qualifying for independence.

Initially, PAs would practice according to the written practice agreements, much as they do today. Once a PA files and reports to the board that they have completed 6,240 hours of clinical experience under supervision, they are no longer required to be supervised. This would allow the PA to practice independently with only a few limitations compared with supervised practice. When practicing independently, PAs would not be able to prescribe Schedule II controlled substances and would instead be limited to Schedule III to V substances.

The majority of states allow nurse practitioners to practice independently. More recently, many states have been giving more freedom and autonomy to PAs, ranging from reduced oversight requirements all the way to full independence. SB 809 is squarely within this trend. If you would like additional information, to read the language of this bill or to contact the sponsors or committee, you can find the information you need through this link SB 809.